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Brandon Pettigrew hopes his blocking pays

At a time when tight ends such as Jimmy Graham want to be relabeled as receivers, soon to be free agent Brandon Pettigrew qualifies as a throwback. "I want to be used as a tight end," Pettigrew told USA TODAY

At a time when tight ends such as Jimmy Graham want to be relabeled as receivers, soon to be free agent Brandon Pettigrew qualifies as a throwback.

"I want to be used as a tight end," Pettigrew told USA TODAY Sports recently. "I want to be utilized for my run-blocking and my pass-receiving skill set."

In five seasons with the Detroit Lions, Pettigrew had 284 catches for 2,828 yards and 16 touchdowns — well short of the numbers Graham (301-3,863-41) put up over four years in his largely detached role with the New Orleans Saints, fueling his looming franchise-tag fight.

What makes Pettigrew different is he has a positive reputation within the league for his inline blocking ability, which figures to intrigue some team enough for him to cash in on a multiyear deal within days of the market opening Tuesday at 4 p.m. ET.

"He's one of the best all-around tight ends from a blocking and receiving standpoint," one NFL personnel director told USA TODAY Sports. The executive spoke on condition of anonymity for competitive reasons. "He will have drops (in the passing game). But they also didn't use him."

Pettigrew's 41 catches in 2013 were the fewest since his rookie season in 2009 as the Lions turned to halfbacks Reggie Bush and Joique Bell as the primary complements to all-world receiver Calvin Johnson.

It didn't help that Pettigrew (6-5, 265 pounds) was banged up, missing two games for the second consecutive season since his 83-catch year in 2011 and playing at less than 100% in many others.

"When you're completely healthy, anybody's a different player," Pettigrew said. "I've had shoulder injuries. I've had finger injuries. I've had ankle. I've had knee. Some are worse than others. But if I can battle through it, I'm going to battle through it."

Pettigrew, 29, acknowledges route-running isn't his best thing, though he prides himself on being balanced. According to ProFootballFocus.com, he was one of six tight ends last season to stay in as a blocker on more than 100 passing plays.

What's that type of skill set worth in a league in which the highest-paid tight ends mostly are receivers first?